The Liberty BASIC Maven Puzzle Contest
Using QCard DLL - Lesson 3 - Watson
Programming a Word Game - Terra
Adding an Icon to the Taskbar - Lewis
Beginning Programming IX - Moore
Rendering Solid Objects - Nally
What is a Maven Puzzle Contest?
Maven - noun ( Pronunciation mae vihn)
Definition: a person with specialized knowledge, often in practical or everyday matters; expert or connoisseur.*
Puzzle - noun (Pronunciation puh zel)
Definition: a recreational problem that requires thought, and sometimes manipulation of something, for a solution.*
Contest - noun (Pronunciation kon test]
Definition: a competition in which each contestant performs without direct contact with or interference from his competitors.*
The challenge was in direct response to Carl Gundel's request for puzzles programmed in Liberty BASIC. Truly, the response was terrific. Not only were there several entries, but each puzzle was delightfully unique. There were eight contest entries eligible for voting. All puzzle entries can be downloaded at the [LB Downloads File Depot]. (Thanks to Scott Bannon for providing this site!) If you haven't yet seen the puzzles, you're in for a treat. These puzzles are well written, aesthetically pleasing, and just plain fun. Some are more graphically intense than others, but all will keep you amused and entertained for days, months and years to come.
The Contest Results
Puzzle - verb (Pronunciation puh zEl)
Definition: to offer or represent to (as a person) a problem difficult to solve or a situation difficult to resolve : challenge mentally; also : to exert (as oneself) over such a problem or situation
Certainly those who cast their votes puzzled over their choices. Every puzzle on the ballot received at least one vote and no puzzle received less than two votes of the highest scoring puzzle.
Honorable Mention
[Pipe Puzzle] by Janet. This puzzle received no votes, but then it didn't appear on the ballot. The object of the game is to rotate plumping pipes so that a closed path leads from the source to the output. Solve the puzzle and watch Mabel sing AND dance in the ensuing shower.
Third Place Yellow Ribbon Winners
[Repeat that Tune] by Janet. A simple Simon © clone, the puzzle generates a sequence of tones which must be replicated by the user. The length of the sequence increases by one each round. The midi routine for the tone output is based upon Alyce's piano6.bas.
[Roll-a-Ball] by Colin Mcmurchie. A maze puzzle that's elegantly simple and delightful. The maze is the original artwork of the author. The object is to find your way to the center of the screen by rolling your red ball through the multicolored maze.
[Smiley Puzzle] by Janet. Like the classic slide puzzle, the tiles must be moved into the correct grid position. As an added twist, each tile must then be rotated to the correct 90 degree angle. The necessary sprites are drawn and captured prior to each play. Watch as the puzzle tiles 'put on a happy face.'
Second Place Red Ribbon Winners
[Peg Jump] by Gary (dirtbottom). Oftentimes a screen display, even animated, doesn't do justice to the corporal puzzle. Not so in this case. Gary has brought the old IQ peg game found in every roadside diner in the 1950's to a new 3-D level. The effect is the result of several sprites used for each peg. At 767 kb, it's a sizeable download, but the graphics are stunning.
[Marbles Game] by Gordon Rahman. Gordon has contributed several graphic delights to the LB community and Marbles Game is no exception. This puzzle is similar to the peg puzzle in that the player must move the marbles from one area of the puzzle area to another. In this puzzle, though, the 'jumpees' are not removed from the board. As an added challenge, the marbles are assigned a color and corresponding number. The numbers determine the validity of a move.
First Place Blue Ribbon Winners - And Bearers of the Coveted Title MAVEN PUZZLER
[Perfect Maze] by Thomas Watson and Alyce Watson. A perfect maze is one that has one, and only one solution, and one that doesn't retrace any paths. Perfect Maze generates random mazes to confound and astound you. As an added bonus, should you choose, you can sit back and watch the puzzle solve itself as it wends its way through the labyrinth and finds the egress. Whether you hunt for your own solution or watch the computer's solution, you'll be amazed at this maze game!
[Puzzle Paint] by Callum Locway. Callum was one of the first to post an entry and, from first sight, it was obvious this puzzle was a worthy contender. The program is both original (no clones for Callum) and of commercial quality. The object of this puzzle is to line up columns of tiles to be discarded. In the spirit of Tetris ©, the more quickly you can discard those tiles, the more time you have to amass more points. The graphics alone in this puzzle are worth a look. Callum gives credit to [anim8or], a freeware 3D animation program for the creation of these graphics. Credit is also given to Alyce Watson for the design of the status bar. This is a superb program!
What's Next?
Rumor has it a few more puzzles, although too late to make this ballot, may still make their way to the contest site. Congratulations to all the participants. There is surely nothing puzzling about the fun we've all had with this contest!